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SB 98 Kentucky Senate · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT relating to welding safety.

Summary
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 198B to establish requirements for projects using structural steel welding, such as hiring a certified welder and meeting national welding standards; define terms; exempt welding projects performed or requested on the premises of a homeowner or farmer; EFFECTIVE January 1, 2027.
Issues: ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates certified welders and national safety standards, improving workplace safety for construction workers under Labor & Industry subject.95% confidence
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 15, 2026 Signed Apr 27, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Current/Final · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill's applicability was significantly narrowed to apply only to projects involving state government contracts or requests, while explicitly exempting projects performed by homeowners or farmers on their own property. This change clarifies that the new welding standards do not impose additional regulatory burdens on private residential or agricultural owners. The effective date for these provisions remains January 1, 2027.
Scope change
The bill's scope was restricted from a general application to specific state government-related projects, while adding an explicit exemption for homeowner and farmer projects.
SCOPE

The section was changed from applying broadly to only applying to state government contracts and requests.

EXEMPTIONS

An explicit exemption was added for welding projects performed or requested by homeowners or farmers on their own premises.

TIMELINE

The effective date for the Act remains January 1, 2027.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 25, 2026

How they voted

38–5
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 44
Feb 25, 2026
D Democratic6
6 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican38
32 Yea 5 Nay 1
84% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
27
Key actions
9
Committee
7
Amendments
3
Apr 27, 2026
Signed into law
signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 201)
upper
Apr 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
lower
Apr 15, 2026
Upper · Passed
enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
upper
Apr 15, 2026
Upper · Passed
passed 37-0
upper
Apr 15, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred in Floor Amendment (4)
upper
Apr 15, 2026
Committee
to Rules (S)
upper
Apr 15, 2026
Upper · Passed
3rd reading, passed 89-5 with Floor Amendment (4)
upper
Apr 14, 2026
Introduced
floor amendment (4) filed
upper
Apr 1, 2026
Introduced
floor amendment (3) filed
upper
Mar 25, 2026
Introduced
floor amendments (1) and (2) filed
upper
Mar 24, 2026
Upper · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
upper
Mar 5, 2026
Committee
to Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations (H)
lower
Feb 26, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (H)
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
3rd reading, passed 33-4
upper
Feb 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
upper
Feb 6, 2026
Committee
to Licensing & Occupations (S)
upper
Jan 15, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (S)
upper
Jan 15, 2026
Introduced
introduced in Senate
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.